Breaking the Dark by Lisa Jewell had an intriguing premise and moments of suspense that drew me in, but overall it didn’t quite meet my expectations. While I enjoyed the writing style and flashes of tension, the story felt uneven and didn’t fully hold my attention. A decent read, but not my favorite from this author.

While this wasn't my favorite book by this author, I did enjoy reading it and honestly would read anything by Lisa Jewell. I liked how the main character feels a bit beyond the typical marvel-eque vibe. I liked the psychological thriller/detective aspect mixed with a touch of the supernatural.

I may be a Marvel fan myself; however, anyone who enjoys a supernatural mystery will enjoy this book. Jessica Jones, a former superhero in the Marvel universe, is a private detective investigating a cult-like disease that spreads across continents. She is hired to uncover why two upper class teenagers in New York are suddenly behaving like robots with bizarre “AI” qualities. Jessica’s Marvel backstory is sprinkled throughout “Breaking the Dark” and ties in nicely with the main plot.

Teenagers are a natural target for selling “perfection”.

One of the strange behaviors of the teenagers is their constant use of the word perfect. Everything they feel is perfect, their mood is perfect, the atmosphere is perfect, and their skin is literally perfect. Their faces appear to be practically airbrushed like they’re wearing a snapchat filter. Clearly, that seems to be impossible, which is why Jessica ends up in a small England town to investigate what happened to them while spending the summer with their father.

Throughout the book, we are transported between present time, and another timeline in the past of another family. The other family’s backstory is very mysterious at first, but soon we come to realize what makes them so sinister and how it affects people in the present time. A young woman from a small town with A LOT of ambition, and little morals, goes very far into bad behaviors. No one in her family is innocent, but she is definitely a young ring leader taking it all way too far. Only, she didn’t expect Jessica Jones to catch onto her secrets.

Breaking the Dark is a wild story line full of some crazy events that may be fiction, but feel too close to reality.

If the technology, physics, and supernatural elements in this story were real, I could see our society falling prey to this very plot. Readers do not need to know the Marvel universe to enjoy this book.

Breaking the Dark sparkles with Lisa Jewell’s trademark suspense and atmospheric flair—but I found it a bit slow at times, especially without a solid grounding in the characters’ backstories or powers. As someone not deeply versed in Jessica Jones or the Marvel universe, I wished there’d been more groundwork to guide me into her world. But, that’s not something I need to expect. It felt like a sequel though in several spots.

Still, the eerie vibe, creepy kids, intriguing mystery, and Jewell’s skill with character immersion held me enough to appreciate the experience. If you’re already a Marvel—or Jessica Jones—fan, it’ll land better; otherwise, it might feel like diving into the deep end without floaties.

My Rating:
4 in my heart, 5 on Goodreads—because weaving a novel is no small feat.

Breaking the Dark pulled me in right from the start—Lisa Jewell’s writing is addictive as always! The suspense kept me guessing, the twists were so well done, and I couldn’t stop turning the pages. It’s the kind of thriller you think about even after you’ve finished.

Breaking the Dark by Lisa Jewell is a bold, atmospheric entry into the Marvel universe that feels both fresh and deeply faithful to its roots. As a longtime Marvel fan, I’ve followed Jessica Jones through comics and screen, but this novel dives deeper into her psyche than ever before giving us a gritty, emotionally raw portrait of a woman still haunted by her past yet unwilling to back down from the darkness. Jessica Jones is at her most vulnerable and most formidable here. Jewell doesn’t shy away from her trauma her hangovers, her cynicism, her fractured relationship with Luke Cage but she also gives Jessica space to be brilliant, intuitive, and deeply human. Her voice is sharp, sarcastic, and laced with pain, making her investigation feel personal from the start. The supporting cast, especially Amber Randall, the desperate mother, and Belle, the eerie teenager at the heart of the mystery are layered and unsettling. Belle, in particular, is a standout: enigmatic, possibly supernatural, and a perfect foil to Jessica’s grounded skepticism. The story kicks off when Amber walks into Jessica’s Hell’s Kitchen office, convinced her teenage twins have returned from the UK… different. Not just emotionally distant, but physically altered eerily perfect, stripped of their quirks, and obsessed with a girl named Belle. Jessica’s reluctant investigation leads her to Barton Wallop, a seemingly idyllic British village with a sinister undercurrent. Jewell builds suspense masterfully, layering clues and red herrings while exploring themes of identity, perfection, and maternal instinct. The pacing is tight, the atmosphere is thick with dread, and the mystery unfolds with just the right amount of supernatural ambiguity to keep you guessing. Breaking the Dark is more than a Marvel tie-in it’s a psychological thriller that stands on its own, elevated by Jewell’s elegant prose and deep understanding of character. For fans of Jessica Jones, it’s a must-read. For fans of crime fiction, it’s a compelling gateway into the Marvel Crime series. Lisa Jewell has done something rare: she’s taken a beloved character and made her feel even more real. I’ll be first in line for the next installment.

Jessica must investigate an unusual case that seems like maybe vampires or mind control.
I would say it was a 3.5 star book.
You get to see Luke cage and even Danny rand a little bit

This book just proves Lisa Jewell really can write anything! Admittedly, this is not my usual jam (I just saw “Lisa Jewell” and got overzealous and punched “Request” BUT that being said, I was surprised to find myself into the story. In true LJ fashion, the writing was fantastic and the characters well developed.

I am not really a Marvel fan but I don't not like it, I just am not super familiar with the characters. However, I love Lisa Jewell and want to read anything she writes, so I was so excited to get the book to preview. This book was a little weird, but I think that is part of the Marvel Universe.
I was unfamiliar with Jessica Jones before picking this up. I’d heard of her, sure, however, I didn’t know her backstory…and that turned out to be just fine. Hints at what happened to her previously are interspersed through the book, and going in blind doesn’t hinder the reading experience, in my opinion. I think my teen readers who are more familiar will enjoy this book. I enjoyed it. All in all, this was a great read.
My thanks to NetGalley for the ebook to preview.

Jessica Jones is a retired superhero who is now trying to make her way in the world as a private investigator. Her life seems to be spiraling into a dark hole when a distraught mother comes to her asking for help about her twins. Something isn't right since they went to visit their father in the UK for summer break; they are "perfect" and completely a drift. The mother, Amber, says she will pay for Jessica to travel to the UK to find out what happened to her children.

Jessica didn't realize what she was getting into when things to start to come to light and a huge case is discovered.

Thank you netgalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC. I can't wait to read book two in the series when ever it comes out!

I love Marvel and I love Lisa Jewell—so this was a win for me! Breaking the Dark was such a fun read. Definitely not her usual style, but she totally nailed it. I was hooked from the start and can’t wait to see where this story goes. I’ll definitely be picking up more!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Full disclosure my only experience with the Marvel universe is from the very short lived Netflix series on Jessica Jones from 10 (???) years ago and the Spidey and his Amazing Friends Disney show my kid makes me watch daily.

I was so excited to receive this ARC because I did really love the Netflix series. I know that the whole Marvel superhero thing is some pretty out there, unrealistic stuff but this was kind of too unbelievable for me? I don’t know what it was but I was just like “huh??” for a good portion of the book. I did enjoy reading it, but I won’t be reading any more of the series for obvious reasons (I literally don’t know any of the other Marvel superhero’s)

I also really could have done without the pregnancy storyline. I hate the whole “woman never wanted kids then has a surprise pregnancy and completely changes her tune” trope.

I’ve read many Lisa Jewell books and have always liked her writing. Breaking the dark was no exception! I must say this is not her typical writing style but she did amazing! I’m a huge marvel fan and was very happy to read this book. I highly recommend it, if you love mystery and sci-fi this is a must read!

I’d read the alphabet on repeat if Lisa wrote it!
No one does suspense like her. Another ball hit WAY out of the park. I could not put this down.

I enjoy good fast-paced reading! I loved the adventure and the storytelling! I did not realize this book was a part of the Marvel universe - so if you are a Marvel fan, this book is definitely for you! It was enjoyable and kept me reading.

This book was a ton of fun and amazing if you're a fan of Marvel. Compelling writing that hooked me from the start and great character development. Thoroughly enjoyed reading this one and really thought that Lisa Jewell brought something unique and interesting to the story. I'm a huge fan of Lisa Jewell's other books which was part of what intrigued me to pick this one up and I'm not sorry I did! I think I will want to continue on with this series!

Unfortunately I did not realize this was a series when I requested it; my mistake. I’m certain it would have been fabulous had I had working knowledge of the world! I will certainly read it, in turn, when I get to it in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for this eARC. All thoughts are honest and my own.

I don’t think I'm the right audience for a marvel adaptation novel. It's fast paced and descriptive. My tastes are more geared towards Jewell's typical thrillers and I don't think I will continue on to the next book.

Lisa Jewel is a great author. This novel, though, was not great for me. I couldn't root for Jessica, the story felt wildly unrealistic, and there just weren't enough likeable characters to keep me engaged. I made it through, but not anything I would pick up again.

Breaking the Dark | Lisa Jewell

3.25☆

A huge thank you to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for this copy of Breaking the Dark.
*My review as someone who knows essentially nothing about the Marvel universe*

“𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘪𝘴𝘵. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘹𝘪𝘴𝘵.“

I have read a few of Lisa’s books, and I was thrilled when I received a copy of Breaking the Dark. Following Jessica Jones, a private investigator who is hired by a fretful mother who is concerned about her twin teenagers - they had gone on a month long trip to visit their dad in the UK, and have returned as “different people” and not acting nor really looking like themselves. Intrigued by the case, Jessica heads to the UK to uncover what happened to the twins. A unique plot line, that jumps between past and present and different characters. Normally I love a dial timeline, yet in this case it felt a little choppy to me. I did feel confused at times as it was very twisty and turn-y but it all came together at the end.

“𝘉𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘮 𝘰𝘧 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦: 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘢 𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮. 𝘐𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘳, 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴, 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘩𝘴. 𝘐𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘵. 𝘐𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥.“